Namib Notes: Welcome to Windy Windhoek

Well, it's technically not too windy but Windy Windhoek does make for a nice alliterative title for the post - if you get what I mean :). While it might not be too windy, Windhoek is quite the hilly city which can only be good for my love of walking. I arrived in the storied … Continue reading Namib Notes: Welcome to Windy Windhoek

Peruvian Posts IV: Machu Picchu

The final part of the Peruvian adventure details a four-day mountain hike culminating in Machu Picchu, a site of Inca ruins. The experience is described as both a climax and an anti-climax due to the overwhelming crowds upon arrival. The author recommends the Classic 4 Days/3 Nights Inca Trail Hike with a local tour operator and reflects on the formation of strong friendships within the hiking group. The journey itself is highlighted, with challenges faced at high altitudes, and the beauty of the natural surroundings is deeply appreciated.

Lisbon Letters II: off the beaten track to find memorial absences

The second day of fieldwork started off with a bright sunny promise but alas it did not last long before it started pouring. I did at least manage to caught some sunshine in the morning as I wandered around with no particular itinerary. One of the things I enjoyed doing in a new city is … Continue reading Lisbon Letters II: off the beaten track to find memorial absences

Natal Notes III: The worldmaking possibilities of liminal spaces in academia

In this third instalment of the Natal Notes, I want to briefly reflect on the first half of my 2nd week stay at the Department of Tourism of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal, Brazil. I title this reflection as 'the worldmaking possibilities of liminal spaces in academia'. This is … Continue reading Natal Notes III: The worldmaking possibilities of liminal spaces in academia

Natal Notes: Olá, bem-vindo to Brazil

For the next two weeks, I have the privilege of being a visiting professor at the Department of Tourism of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal, Brazil. Among other things, I am teaching on a course on critical tourism studies, undertaking research fieldwork, delivering a keynote at a conference here and … Continue reading Natal Notes: Olá, bem-vindo to Brazil

Das Afrikanische Viertel and colonial traces in Berlin: a fieldwork report

This past weekend, I have been on a scoping research visit to Berlin exploring the transformative memory work of tourism in relation to slavery and colonial heritage. It was exciting for me heading to Berlin after 12 years. My first visit to Berlin was in 2012 as part of a study trip during my Erasmus … Continue reading Das Afrikanische Viertel and colonial traces in Berlin: a fieldwork report

A Gran Sranan Presenteri – The Great Suriname Exhibition – De Grote Suriname Tentoonstelling – a polyphonic autobiography of Suriname

On a rather wet morning last Monday 24th February, I made my way from Wageningen to Amsterdam. My goal? To see 'A Gran Sranan Presenteri - The Great Suriname Exhibition - De Grote Suriname Tentoonstelling' (Sranan Tongo, English and Dutch respectively) at De Nieuwe Kerk in the centre of Amsterdam. De Nieuwe Kerk with its … Continue reading A Gran Sranan Presenteri – The Great Suriname Exhibition – De Grote Suriname Tentoonstelling – a polyphonic autobiography of Suriname

Phuket…here I come (soon)!

I am delighted to have been successful with my application and to have been invited to the Newton Funded Researcher Links Workshop on INCLUSIVE INNOVATION IN TOURISM. This Researcher Links Workshop is taking place in Phuket, Thailand at the end of August and... ...provides a unique opportunity for early career researchers from the UK, Thailand and internationally to … Continue reading Phuket…here I come (soon)!

Ciao Napoli – I hope to see you again!

My first outside social encounter in Napoli on the second night of my stay in the city took place at the entrance of a restaurant and unfolded like this: Me: "Are you already serving food?" Italian Waiter:"Food?" Me:"Yes!" Italian Waiter:"Do you want to eat?" Me:"Yes!" Italian Waiter:"Do you have money?" Me:"What?!?" Italian Waiter:"Do you have … Continue reading Ciao Napoli – I hope to see you again!

Metaphors we fly by: 2 weeks at the University of Surrey

How time flies! (that is a metaphor right there but I will get to that later). With a mixture of sadness and gladness, today is my last day in Guildford where I have been on a research visit to the University of Surrey for the past two weeks. It has been a very good and productive … Continue reading Metaphors we fly by: 2 weeks at the University of Surrey